Local Ag News

Soybean Association Launches Program Dealing With Resistant Weeds

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa Soybean Association has launched an informational campaign to help farmers deal with weeds that are becoming resistant to the farm chemicals commonly used tokill them. Iowa State University agronomist Mike Owens says herbicide-resistant weeds are present in 20 to 30 percent of Iowa soybean fields, about 2 to 3 million acres and the area is likely to grow. He says most farmers are just a year or two away from a serious weed control problem as each generation of seed becomes more resistant to weed killers used most often. Strategies include rotating chemicals used from year to year, controlling weeds in waterways, edges and ditches, and increasing crop rotation to break weed cycles.

Northey Says Crops Show Some Improvement

(Le Mars) -- Farmers are still behind with their spring planting, although this past week allowed for more drying and warmer conditions across the state. The latest weekly crop condition report shows Iowa’s corn crop was 96 percent planted, marking the first year since 1993 that any corn remained to be planted this late in the year. Ninety-three percent of the corn crop has emerged, normally all corn would be emerged. Corn condition showed a very slight improvement, and was rated 3 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 44 percent good and 10 percent excellent. Ninety percent of the soybean crop has been planted, an advancement of 13 percentage points from last week, but still below the normal 98 percent. Seventy-five percent of the soybean crop has emerged; still well behind the five-year average of 94 percent. The soybean condition rating improved slightly, and was rated 3 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 44 percent good and 9 percent excellent. Sixty-seven percent of the oat crop was headed, almost catching up with the normal 72 percent headed. The oat condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 56 percent good and 12 percent excellent. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey was in Le Mars yesterday and spoke about the state's crops.

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Northey says the crops are showing some signs of improvement.

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Cool, Wet Spring Cold Spell Trouble For Soybeans

Cool, Wet Spring Could Spell Trouble For Soybeans

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The cool wet spring has delayed planting for corn farmers but it also has presented a problem for soybean producers. A soil-borne fungus that thrives in excessively wet years causes a disease known as sudden death syndrome in soybean plants. It can destroy entire fields or parts of fields. In 2010, Iowa farmers lost about 28 million bushels of soybeans to SDS. Leonor Leandro, Iowa State University assistant professor of plant pathology, says the key is to plant resistant soybean varieties. She says conditions favoring SDS include compacted soils, soils with poor drainage, and fields with a history SDS. Leandro says a drier summer will reduce the risk of SDS. If the plants get into reproductive stages and the weather turns wet, the disease may surface.

Spring Produce Could Be Bountiful

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says growers are hopeful for a bountiful crop of spring produce that could begin showing up at farmers markets soon. Northey says a cool spring delayed the crop a bit, but the weather has improved and timely spring rain and the lack of a killing frost could produce a big harvest. Produce such as strawberries, asparagus and rhubarb is beginning to become available, and later crops such as radishes, carrots, green beans and leafy greens should be harvested soon. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website lists the state's farmers markets as well as farm stands and many farms where people can buy produce. Go to www.IowaAgriculture.gov , and click on Data Searches and Directories on the bottom right side of the page.

Climatologist Says Planting Will Be Delayed Due To Cold, Wet Spring

(Le Mars) -- You can't help but scratch your head and wonder when will spring finally arrive? Although the moisture from this past week is perhaps appreciated, obviously, Mother Nature is playing a cruel late April Fools joke by producing the late season snows. Iowa State University Extension Climatologist, Elwynn Taylor says it may be at least two more weeks, or more, before temperatures warm up to near normal levels.

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Normally at this time of year, farmers would be in their fields planting the new corn crop. Since it will be a while until farmers can get to their fields, will that hurt the corn production in the long run?

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The ISU extension climatologist says although records show earlier planting usually performs better, he says the soil temperatures need to be at or above 50 degrees for a sustained period of time to help with the development of the seed. Taylor says records have proven as the spring progresses, it normally becomes wetter, which may be another factor determining when farmers will be able to plant this year's corn crop. Taylor says this past winter and colder than normal spring reminds him of the conditions similar to 1947.

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Taylor says Iowa farmers have had three straight years of below trend-line yields, and he believes the odds are in favor for a fourth year for below trend-line yields.

Farm Rescue Expands

Farm Rescue Foundation Expands

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The founder of Farm Rescue has launched a separate foundation to further his cause of helping farmers stricken by major illnesses, ailments or disasters. Farm Rescue helps farmers in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa and eastern Montana with planting and harvesting. Founder and CEO Bill Gross says the new Farm Rescue Foundation will help farmers in therecovery process with specialized equipment, or with some farm tasks they're unable to do. Langdon farmer Brett Kakela (KAK'-uh-luh) is recovering from a stroke. The foundation helped him get equipment that will enable him to unload grain without having to climb out of his truck. Hesays he appreciates the help. The foundation aims to help about 20 farmers in North Dakota this spring and expand to the other four states this fall.

Iowa Corn Growers Help Set National Policy

JOHNSTON, Iowa - March 1, 2013 - Iowa corn farmers joined with other corn farmer members from twenty-six states representing the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) at the annual Commodity Classic meeting in Kissimmee, Florida today.

"This is the culmination of our grassroots policy development process. Starting with our local roundtable meetings, to our Annual Meeting, and now onto National policy in Corn Congress at Commodity Classic, this is how our grassroots members help develop national policy," said Bruce Rohwer, a farmer from Paullina, Iowa and the current president of the ICGA. "Iowa farmers are here to be part of the process to develop policy positions of interest to Iowa corn farmers."

Additional NCGA policy discussions will take place on Saturday afternoon. "With the drought conditions last year, we saw crop insurance work," said Rohwer. "Grain farmers didn't require an ad hoc disaster assistance bill, even with last year's extreme weather conditions, as we have seen happen in the past. Our task at Commodity Classic is to make sure we have and maintain sound policy for Iowa's corn farmers."

The new NCGA policy document will be posted at www.iowacorn.org/policy when it becomes available. For more information on upcoming summer policy development meetings in your area, contact the Iowa Corn Growers Association at (515) 225-9242 or by email at
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.The ICGA is a membership organization, lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its nearly 7,000 farmer members. For more information or to view the complete policy position book, log onto www.iowacorn.org.

The Commodity Classic is the premier convention and trade show of the US corn, soybean, sorghum, and wheat industries. Each year, the industry gathers at Commodity Classic to experience, learn and share information about issues, technology, and trends in US agriculture.

Kossuth County Farmers Produced Most Corn & Soybeans

Kossuth County Farmers Produced Most Corn and Soybeans

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Farmers in north-central Iowa's Kossuth County beat out all others in corn and soybean production last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in a report issued Thursday that Kossuth County led with 52.8 million bushels of corn and 10.3 million bushels of soybeans. It makes sense that Kossuthwould stand out, it's the state's largest county by land size and has the most harvested acres of corn and soybeans. The extreme heat and drought last year reduced yields significantly across much of Iowa. Only Palo Alto and Clay counties in northwest Iowa produced corn yields above 170 bushels per acre. Southern Iowa counties suffered most. Appanoose County reported the lowest yields with corn at 44.5 bushels per acre and soybeans at 24.3 bushels per acre.

Caswell Joins AGP

Matt Caswell Named Vice President at Ag Processing, Inc.

(Omaha) -- Ag Processing, Inc. a cooperative (AGP) announced today that Matt Caswell has joined the cooperative's management team as Vice President of Member/Corporate Relations and Government Affairs. Caswell, who most recently served as Director of Federal Government Relations for Syngenta in Washington D.C. started with AGP on February 4.

"With over 12 years of leadership experience in the areas of Agribusiness and Governmental Affairs, Matt brings a strong level of expertise consisting of governmental advocacy, regulatory affairs, and membership relations to AGP," said Keith Spackler, CEO and General Manager.

Caswell's career also includes Regulator Affairs Director for BP PLC in Washington D.C. for four years and Public Affairs Director with the Iowa Soybean Association for seven years.

Originally from Perry, Iowa Matt received his law degree from Drake University in Des Moines. He and his wife, Sarah, and son James, are in the process of relocating from Arlington, Virginia to Omaha, Nebraska.

AGP (www.agp.com), the largest farmer owned soybean processor in the world, is owned by 179 local and regional cooperatives representing over 250,000 farmers from 15 states throughout the United States. Corporate headquarters are located in Omaha, Nebraska.

Farmers Can Apply For Energy Grants

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) - Farmers with small to mid-sized operations may apply for grants to incorporate energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy measures into theirfarms. Grants of up to $2,000 are offered through the Farm Energy Working Group at the Center for Energy & Environmental Education which is located at the University of Northern Iowa. The money forthe grant comes from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, a research and education based at center at Iowa State University. The grant funding can pay for the farmer's time for installation, administration, and report writing. Grants cannot cover equipment purchases. Past projects have included a robotic milking machine in Monona, wind and solar projects, and biogas heaters and generators. The deadline for application is Feb. 28.